AP®︎ World History: Topic 7.2 Flashcards

Imperialism, territorial rivalry, alliances, nationalism, and militarism made Europe vulnerable; Franz Ferdinand’s assassination triggered war in 1914

Competition for colonies, resources, markets, bases, and prestige increased prewar tensions and later spread the war through imperial networks

Kaiser Wilhelm II’s assertive policy of seeking greater German colonial, naval, and global influence

German emperor who pursued Weltpolitik and expanded Germany’s navy and international influence, alarming Britain and France

Germany challenged French influence in Morocco in 1905–1906 but became isolated and strengthened British-French cooperation

Germany sent the gunboat Panther to Agadir in 1911, increasing German, French, and British suspicion despite a diplomatic settlement

Territory lost by France to Germany after the Franco-Prussian War, contributing to French resentment and distrust of Germany

Unstable southeastern European region where Ottoman decline, territorial disputes, nationalism, and Austro-Russian rivalry converged

The effort to enlarge Serbia or unite South Slavs, which Austria-Hungary saw as a threat to its multiethnic empire

The belief that Slavic peoples shared common interests, used by Russia to support Serbia and claim protection of Balkan Slavs

The principle that a nation should govern itself, which threatened multiethnic empires such as Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire

Austria-Hungary’s 1908 annexation angered Serbia and Russia, deepening Serbian hostility and damaging Russian prestige

Wars of 1912–1913 that weakened Ottoman rule, enlarged Serbia, and increased Austro-Hungarian fear and Russian support for Serbia

Loyalty to national power and ethnic identity that encouraged interstate rivalry, imperial prestige, separatism, and resistance to compromise

The 1882 defensive alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy; Italy remained neutral in 1914 and joined the Allies in 1915

Prewar diplomatic grouping of Britain, France, and Russia; a set of alliances and understandings rather than one treaty requiring automatic entry into war

Rival blocs spread security fears and encouraged risk-taking, helping turn the Austro-Serbian dispute into a general war without making escalation automatic

The elevation of military strength, values, and solutions in politics, making governments more prepared and willing to use war

Mandatory military service used to create large armies and reserves that could be mobilized rapidly

British-German competition to build modern battle fleets, accelerated by HMS Dreadnought, that threatened British naval security and increased suspicion

German plan to defeat France quickly through neutral Belgium before shifting forces east against slower-mobilizing Russia

Calling up and transporting armies under rigid schedules, which made delay seem dangerous and turned military preparation into a threat

Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne whose assassination at Sarajevo on June 28, 1914 triggered the July Crisis

Bosnian Serb nationalist associated with Young Bosnia who assassinated Franz Ferdinand and Sophie at Sarajevo

Revolutionary South Slavic nationalist movement associated with Princip and opposition to Austro-Hungarian rule in Bosnia

Serbian secret nationalist network whose members supplied weapons and assistance to the Sarajevo conspirators

The June 28, 1914 murder of Franz Ferdinand and Sophie by Gavrilo Princip, providing the immediate trigger for World War I.

Germany’s July 5–6 promise to support Austria-Hungary against Serbia even if Russian intervention produced a wider war

Severe July 23 demands that Serbia mostly accepted but partly rejected because Austro-Hungarian participation in Serbian proceedings violated sovereignty

The 1914 escalation from Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum and war on Serbia through Russian mobilization and German, French, and British entry

Competitive military buildup in which each state’s expansion prompted rivals to expand, increasing fear, suspicion, and readiness for war

Militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism; a mnemonic for major long-term causes of World War I, not a complete causal explanation